Parksville Qualicum Beach Rotary Club members do some building in Mexico

As Rotary celebrates its 111th anniversary, 16 members of the Rotary Club of Parksville AM are busy building a Kindergarten in Mexico.

Club member Diana Matsuda said the project is “tailor-made for spreading the word about the good work of Rotary.” She is on the team that left the Parksville Qualicum Beach region for Vincente Guerrero, in Baja Mexico on Feb. 20.

The team is working with Live Different, a charitable organization that Matsuda said identifies itself as ‘a movement focused on changing ourselves and the world around us by embracing a lifestyle that cares for people, not stuff.’

The team, including Parksville AM Rotarians, family members and friends, “is building a Kindergarten in a community where the children are currently trying to learn on old tires rather than desks, sitting under plastic tarps,” she wrote from Mexico.

Participants are donating their time and paying all of their own expenses including flights, meals and accommodation, as well as covering the cost of materials for the project.

“It is a great example of what can happen when we harness the power of Rotary, in combination with the vision and passion of Live Different,” Matsuda said.

She said they are surprised by the speedy progress they are making, adding “The parents and teachers are so excited about the Kindergarten and are there all day working alongside us.”

The team is comprised of Matsuda, Linda and Garry Cox, Bill Rawlins, Sandy and Jo Dunn, Diane and Don Luke, Jane and Ray Walker, Louise Wright, her three sisters and aunt and Deirdre Michael.

Matsuda also thanked Helen Dyck who made all of the travel arrangements.